The italians eh? So they had a thing called "squillo" which basically is a call that's meant to buzz one or two times.
What is the point of this? Well, think about it. Why
would someone squillo someone else? You might reach the answer that it can be used in an ambiguous way, and that is why. The squillo is used to make the other person realize that they're on your mind. This can carry a lot of importance with it, as it can signal "I'm late for the dinner, I know, but I''m on my way. Bear with me!!", or "I heard about that thing you did".
Now, sure, it doesn't cost anything, but why would you do this when you can send messages? This was used before the Apple revolution of the phone, but what can it be used for today?
The squillo isn't really a means of communication, but more of an emotional tool that needs two people to work. Words of "Hey handsome" or something along the lines will force the users to communicate when there sometimes isn't time. the squillo would be a quick way to receive your share of a "feeling kick" where you feel excited without having to say anything, or read anything.
It can also be used, or rather, only be used by people who understand each other. Think about that, because this is why I made this thread. People who understand each other are the only ones who can use squillos. With messages someone else can read them and get in on it, but with squillo you and the sender/receiver are the only ones in on it, and it becomes this inside "joke" that you two have.
tl;dr version
Just more pointless shit.